Deborah L.

“ I have worked privately and through agencies throughout the past 10 years taking care of elderly people who need assistance with their basic needs: cooking, light housework, companionship and any number of other reasons an individual needs assistance when it becomes difficult to do them on their own any longer. Be it assistance or cautious guidance with mobility, medications, a companion to perform physical...

I have worked privately and through agencies throughout the past 10 years taking care of elderly people who need assistance with their basic needs: cooking, light housework, companionship and any number of other reasons an individual needs assistance when it becomes difficult to do them on their own any longer. Be it assistance or cautious guidance with mobility, medications, a companion to perform physical therapy exercises with every few hours to keep them limber between sessions, or assistance with feeding, toileting, dressing, etc. I've done it all and am comfortable with assisting or performing them for clients. I change linens, assist client with cleaning and grooming, do laundry, prepare (and clean up after) meals and snacks, always monitor (actually pushing!) intake of fluids and am an excellent chef (professional). I have a clean license and a car so I can drive clients in their car or mine to appointments (and advocate for them if and when necessary), accompany them on errands and take them for trips or outings if they are up for it (and if weather permits). Most of all I give companionship, conversation and assist them with performing what are otherwise basic functions that are now more difficult for them to perform themselves - and monitor that all runs smoothly, safely and pleasantly. I've assisted clients in situations such as doctors appointments, physical therapy both at home and in nursing/assisted care facilities (primarily as they are very understaffed and families want to assure that their loved ones needs are met in these situations as well). I'm very empathetic, and if it's a good "mix" I can't help but find these folks becoming what I define as dear friends who become the center of my life while I'm caring for them. I have great respect for the elderly and truly love to listen to their life experiences. I find a certain grace there that I rarely find in people my age. I do prefer the company of children and older folks and I have since I myself was a child. I prefer to interact and assist people working in the "helping fields" as it's far more rewarding than sitting in a cubicle all day in front of a computer! I still aspire to attain my Masters of Social Work, but in the meantime I prefer to work one-on-one with clients in a more humanistic setting than the other option; the cold, indifferent corporate environment! Have references.

More ”